Article
Plant Sciences
Marina Pannunzio Ribeiro, Kaline de Mello, Roberta Averna Valente
Summary: In the process of urbanization, the connectivity of urban forest fragments in protected areas is insufficient to support biodiversity conservation. The current ecological network relies on neighboring forest fragments and flux dispersal in peri-urban areas. Riparian zones and anthropic grasslands play an important role in protected area connectivity.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Peilin Huang, Dulai Zheng, Yijing Yan, Weizhen Xu, Yujie Zhao, Ziluo Huang, Yinghong Ding, Yuxin Lin, Zhipeng Zhu, Ziru Chen, Weicong Fu
Summary: This study analyzes the response of bird communities in urban parks in Fuzhou, China, to landscape features during winter. The results indicate that the park's area, irregularity of shape, woodland proportion, and waterbody shape have a positive effect on bird diversity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sayedeh Alemohammad, Ahmad-Reza Yavari, Bahram Malek-Mohammadi, Esmail Salehi, Mohammad-Javad Amiri
Summary: Inefficient management of protected areas is often due to a lack of consideration for the surrounding matrix. This study in Iran analyzed land cover changes and quantified landscape structural integrity in Dena Rural District, demonstrating connectivity loss and increased fragmentation of oak forest patches. This study highlights the importance of considering human impacts and interventions, as well as promoting stewardship and strict control measures.
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Farrokh Ghahremaninejad, Ehsan Hoseini, Sogol Fereidounfar
Summary: Freshwater scarcity in drylands poses a threat to over 2 billion people living in these areas. Human activities in populated regions negatively impact the delicate natural ecosystems in drylands, while global warming and desertification further endanger wildlife and plant species, forcing them to face extinction or migration. The necessity of transforming cities in drylands into artificial protected areas is discussed to address the need to protect both human and endangered plant populations.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sebastian Brackhane, Albert Reif, Ewa Zin, Christine B. Schmitt
Summary: Natural disturbances are suppressed in Central European landscapes due to economic and human safety concerns. The European and German wilderness goals have the potential to support the restoration of threatened habitats associated with natural disturbances, but conflicts with the surrounding cultural landscape and infrastructure need to be addressed.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Jinghui Han, Yulin Dong, Zhibin Ren, Yunxia Du, Chengcong Wang, Guangliang Jia, Peng Zhang, Yujie Guo
Summary: The study focuses on the impact of urbanization on forest landscape multifunctionality (FLM) in Liaoyuan, China from 2000 to 2018. It found that urbanization significantly affects FLM, with forest functions becoming stronger and more stable as distance from the city edge increases. Urbanization has a gradient effect on FLM, with significant impact seen at 1000-2500 meters and the impact distance increasing from 3000 meters in 2000 to over 5000 meters in 2018.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nancy F. Sonti, Rachel Riemann, Miranda H. Mockrin, Grant M. Domke
Summary: The wildland-urban interface (WUI) is the fastest-growing land use type in the United States, and it is important to understand how this development affects the landscape and structure of WUI forests. Research found that WUI forests have higher carbon storage but lower structural diversity compared to non-WUI forests, which may impact forest regeneration and other ecological functions.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Wenjuan Shen, Qing Liu, Mei Ji, Jiaying He, Tao He, Chengquan Huang
Summary: Accurately characterizing urban forest change is crucial for quantifying its impact on the urban thermal environment. Using China's Gaofen data and labels, we proposed a deep learning-based approach to extract forest/non-forest types and explored the effects of urban forest patterns on land surface temperature.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Sebastian Ruiz Pereira, Jose Fernandez, Jose Herrera, Jorge Olea
Summary: The text discusses the conflicts arising from commercial concessions within mountain protected landscapes and the shortcomings in environmental impact studies regarding landscape assessment. The case study in the South-Central Andes of Chile highlights the need to address the inherent transformations affecting landscape value.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REVIEW
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jedediah F. Brodie, Jayasilan Mohd-Azlan, Cheng Chen, Oliver R. Wearn, Mairin C. M. Deith, James G. C. Ball, Eleanor M. Slade, David F. R. P. Burslem, Shu Woan Teoh, Peter J. Williams, An Nguyen, Jonathan H. Moore, Scott J. Goetz, Patrick Burns, Patrick Jantz, Christopher R. Hakkenberg, Zaneta M. Kaszta, Sam Cushman, David Coomes, Olga E. Helmy, Glen Reynolds, Jon Paul Rodriguez, Walter Jetz, Matthew Scott Luskin
Summary: The United Nations has agreed to expand global protected areas (PAs) to slow biodiversity loss. However, the effectiveness of reserves in preserving animal diversity and their impact on surrounding unprotected areas are still unclear. This study found that PAs in Southeast Asia contribute to vertebrate conservation both inside and outside their boundaries, providing support for the UN's goal of achieving 30% PA coverage by 2030.
Article
Plant Sciences
Maarten de Groot, Katarina Flajsman, Tomaz Mihelic, Ursa Vilhar, Primoz Simoncic, Andrej Verlic
Summary: Urbanization decreases species richness and homogenizes bird communities. The study in Ljubljana, Slovenia found that green space area, type, and urbanization type affect species abundance, dissimilarity, and indicator species. Recommendations include promoting both forests and parks, larger green spaces, and a mix of smaller forest remnants and larger forest complexes.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Abigail Kaminski, Dana Marie Bauer, Kathleen P. Bell, Cynthia S. Loftin, Erik J. Nelson
Summary: Urban-rural gradients are useful for examining the impact of human disturbances on ecological and social systems, with an integrated approach utilizing multiple landscape pattern metrics showing promise in defining more accurate gradient typologies. The outcome of cluster-based typologies differs significantly from rule-based typologies, highlighting the importance of considering landscape patterns in urban-rural gradient studies for effective resource management and conservation decisions. Future studies should consider more robust classification approaches to improve the accuracy of urban-rural gradient typologies.
Article
Ecology
Maria Luiza Petroni, Juliana Siqueira-Gay, Amarilis Lucia Casteli Figueiredo Gallardo
Summary: Protected Areas (PAs) aim to protect biodiversity and cultural values by regulating land use and land cover. This study explores ecosystem services (ES) within PAs in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and analyzes the impacts of land use and land cover changes on ES supply and demand over 28 years.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2022)
Article
Urban Studies
Gideon Baffoe
Summary: This paper explores the impact of neoliberal urban planning on urban governance, using Dar es Salam as a case study. The paper reveals that neoliberal planning promotes elite interests, over the needs of the poor, limiting their right to the city. To create equitable urban spaces and development, the paper argues for a shift toward inclusive planning approaches in the cities of the Global South.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Roberto Cazzolla Gatti, Alena Velichevskaya, Anastasia Dudko, Luca Fabbio, Claudia Notarnicola
Summary: Russian protected forests are facing significant threats from logging and fires, resulting in substantial tree loss. Despite logging and other human activities being prohibited in protected areas, the main driver of tree loss is non-fire causes. Therefore, improved management and policies are needed to reduce forest loss.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
D. Stojanovic, E. McLennan, G. Olah, M. Cobden, R. Heinsohn, A. D. Manning, F. Alves, C. Hogg, L. Rayner
Summary: Reproductive skew can lead to reduced population size and increased inbreeding in small populations. By studying superb parrots, researchers found that some pairs monopolized breeding access, resulting in a strong reproductive skew. Understanding the causes of reproductive skew is crucial for conservation efforts.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
David Lindenmayer, Lachlan McBurney, Wade Blanchard
Summary: Large quantities of dead wood generated by disturbances like wildfires play critical ecological roles in forest ecosystems globally. A 10-year study in southeastern Australia revealed that 23% of measured trees collapsed between 2011 and 2021, with smaller diameter trees and trees in fragmented patches being more prone to collapse. The potential loss of dead trees by 2030 could have major negative effects on biodiversity conservation in ash-type forests.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kiarrah J. Smith, Maldwyn J. Evans, Iain J. Gordon, Jennifer C. Pierson, Simon Stratford, Adrian D. Manning
Summary: In response to the decline of fauna, there is growing interest in rewilding ecosystems outside of fenced sanctuaries. Mini Safe Havens (MSHs) are being proposed as a tool to manage threats and maintain gene flow for focal species. A pilot reintroduction of the New Holland mouse in MSHs showed that the mice maintained weight and continued to use the release site, compared to those in temporary enclosures. MSHs have broad applicability for population recovery and reintroductions.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Stephen G. Kearney, James E. M. Watson, April E. Reside, Diana O. Fisher, Martine Maron, Tim S. Doherty, Sarah M. Legge, John C. Z. Woinarski, Stephen T. Garnett, Brendan A. Wintle, Euan G. Ritchie, Don A. Driscoll, David Lindenmayer, Vanessa M. Adams, Michelle S. Ward, Josie Carwardine
Summary: Earth's extinction crisis is worsening and threat classification schemes are crucial for assessing the drivers and threats causing species declines. However, there is a lack of a complementary framework for evaluating the conservation responses needed to reduce these threats. In this study, an expert-driven threat-abatement framework was developed and applied to 1532 threatened species in Australia, highlighting the importance of retaining and restoring habitat, controlling invasive species and diseases, and improving fire management for species recovery. Integrated management responses are necessary for the survival and recovery of most species.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Forestry
David B. Lindenmayer, Marta Yebra, Geoffrey J. Cary
Summary: Plantations of trees are important for wood supply but also pose fire risks. Greater consideration of fire risks in planning is needed, including the choice of tree species and their placement based on climatic and environmental factors. Other factors like landscape configuration and new technologies for fire detection and suppression should also be considered. Better planning and management of wildfires in plantations is essential due to their significance and potential danger to human safety.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Elle J. Bowd, Lachlan McBurney, David B. Lindenmayer
Summary: Under the current trajectory of accelerated climatic and environmental change, many forests are at risk of regeneration failure and subsequent transition to alternate stable states. Detailed empirical understanding of these alternative states is limited. Using a manipulative experiment, we found that frequent stand-replacing disturbance can result in regeneration failure in ash-type eucalypt forests in Australia. These shifts to alternative stable states can have severe ecological implications and require management interventions to conserve forest integrity.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Biology
David B. Lindenmayer, Elle J. Bowd, Philip Gibbons
Summary: Wildfires pose challenges to forest restoration due to their varied impacts on vegetation and biodiversity. Appropriate management interventions, such as prescribed burning, excluding activities that hinder post-fire recovery, and artificial seeding, should be selected to achieve favorable restoration outcomes in different ecosystems.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biology
Jiajia Liu, Xiaofeng Jin, Shenhao Yao, Yuan Wang, Yifei Lu, Qianyu Chen, Chuping Wu, Ferry Slik, David Lindenmayer
Summary: The discovery rates of new plant species should be accelerated to prevent extinction before formal description. Current studies have focused on the occurrence and characteristics of new species, but limited attention has been given to the taxonomists who discover and describe them. Using China as a case study, we found that recently described species are mostly endemic, and the proportion of species described by resident Chinese taxonomists has increased over time. In contrast, species discoveries by non-resident experts, often non-endemic, have shown signs of leveling off. This study highlights the need for training, support, and collaboration with resident taxonomists in megadiverse countries with high potential for discovering undescribed plant species.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shukhrat Shokirov, Tommaso Jucker, Shaun R. Levick, Adrian D. Manning, Timothee Bonnet, Marta Yebra, Kara N. Youngentob
Summary: Vegetation structure has an impact on landscape use and habitat quality for bird species. By comparing terrestrial and UAV LiDAR sensors, we found that both sensors provided similar results in terms of the relationship between vegetation structural metrics and bird species richness and abundance in a woodland landscape. LiDAR structural variables had better predictive power for individual bird species abundance models, and also had some explanatory power for species richness and diversity. Additionally, we identified associations between vulnerable bird species and LiDAR structural variables, which could aid in habitat assessment and conservation management.
REMOTE SENSING OF ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Shilu Zheng, Juntao Hu, Zhijun Ma, David Lindenmayer, Jiajia Liu
Summary: The authors used body size data from mammal and bird museum collections in North America to show that intraspecific variation in body size has increased over time, while mean body size has not changed. Previous studies have mainly focused on the declining average body size of animals, and less is known about long-term changes in intraspecific trait variation, which is crucial for understanding species' ability to cope with environmental challenges.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Kiarrah J. Smith, Maldwyn J. Evans, Iain J. Gordon, Jennifer C. Pierson, Jenny Newport, Adrian D. Manning
Summary: Captive breeding is commonly used to reintroduce locally extinct species, and data analysis from these breeding programs can be used to increase release quantity and rate, as well as improve genetic and phenotypic quality of individuals. This study analyzed data from a captive breeding program for the threatened pookila, finding predictors for reproductive output. Based on the results, specific design elements were recommended to maximize postrelease reproduction and reintroduction success. The integration of knowledge from captive breeding with decision-making can help address uncertainties and benefit species conservation globally.
JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jackie L. O'Sullivan, Claire N. Foster, Damian R. Michael, Wade Blanchard, David B. Lindenmayer
Summary: Understanding the factors that influence retreat-site selection by fauna is important for habitat management and species conservation. However, there is limited knowledge about the attributes of surface rocks that contribute to their use in agricultural landscapes, especially during the winter months when reptiles are brumating.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kiarrah J. Smith, Maldwyn J. Evans, Iain J. Gordon, Jennifer C. Pierson, Sue McIntyre, Adrian D. Manning
Summary: Wildlife translocations to human-modified and inferred formerly occupied habitats can be controversial due to perceived risks and misconceptions regarding the focal species' ecology. Assessing the microhabitat use of the focal species in both the trial translocation and their persisting habitats can address these concerns and inform restoration works and release tactics. Implementing this approach widely may help reverse shifting baseline syndrome and enhance species resilience to future environmental change.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tim Andrewartha, Maldwyn Evans, Anton Blencowe, Kyle Brewer, Iain J. Gordon, Adrian D. Manning
Summary: Predation by invasive mammalian species is a major threat to native species. The current management approach focuses on removing invasive species, but this is challenging and may not be completely effective. This study tested the use of conditioned taste aversion (CTA) as a tactic to reduce predation. By associating nausea with a specific food source, the study successfully reduced bait consumption by red foxes in a wild context. The results suggest that CTA could be a promising tool for managing the impacts of invasive mammalian predators.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tolera Senbeto Jiren, David James Abson, Jannik Schultner, Maraja Riechers, Joern Fischer
Summary: Many landscapes in sub-Saharan Africa are changing rapidly, with negative impacts. To address these impacts, proactive landscape planning is necessary. Scenario planning, which generates narratives of possible future landscape change, has been used to support decisions, but backcasting-the envisioning of a desirable future landscape and identifying pathways to reach it-has been rarely applied in landscape planning due to challenges including group dynamics.